Uncertainty looms over support from UP farmers

Neeraj Mohan

New Delhi, February 12

As the clock ticks closer to the planned ‘Dilli Chalo’ march tomorrow by members of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political), a cloud of uncertainty looms over the expected support from farmers in Uttar Pradesh. Despite claims of significant backing from Uttar Pradesh, the absence of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Tikait) signals potential hurdles for the agitating farmers and labourer unions in garnering widespread support this time.

The BKU (Tikait), a prominent and longstanding farmer group from Western Uttar Pradesh, has opted to distance itself from the ongoing agitation, deviating from its historic role as a rallying force for farmers’ movements.

Even the national president of BKU, Naresh Tikait, and his brother, a national spokesperson, Rakesh Tikait, have maintained a conspicuous silence on the matter, reflecting a shift in focus towards the Gramin Bharat Bandh call scheduled for February 16. The BKU (Tikait) is associated with the Samyuka Kisan Morcha and they are more focused on the Gramin Bharat Bandh on February 16 — a call given by the SKM — under which around 40 farmers organisations associated with the BKU will hold protests and declare one day krishi-hadtal (agriculture strike).

But, Rakesh Tikait has expressed solidarity with the farmers coming to Delhi to join February 13 call, by condemning the police action in Madhya Pradesh against farmers en route to Delhi. “At the behest of the Central government, the police in Madhya Pradesh have arrested and sent the state president of @OfficialBKU, Anil Yadav, and Aradhana Bhargav to jail. The government aims to thwart the Bharat Bandh and suppress the voice of the farmers. The government should release them immediately”, Tikait wrote on his X account.

Moreover, the BKU (Tikait) also has a strong base in Haryana but its leaders in Haryana have made it clear that they will not join this protest. “We are focusing on SKM’s Gramin Bharat Bandh call on February 16, we are not supporting this ‘Dilli Chalo’ call”, said Haryana BKU (Tikait) president Ratan Mann.

Also, BKU (apolitical), another influential farmer union from Uttar Pradesh, has refrained from endorsing the current agitation, exacerbating the complexities surrounding the ‘Dilli Chalo’ call.

However, the Delhi Police in anticipation of potential unrest, have implemented extensive security measures, particularly at the Ghazipur border, a focal point of the farmers’ agitation in 2020-21.